PARTING OF LEANDER AND HERO

I Brows pale through blue-black tresses Wet with the rain's cold kisses; Hair that the sea-wind tosses, Wild as wild wings in flight; Pale brows, some sad thought crosses, One kiss and then—good night. II Nay, love! thou wilt undo me When in the heavy waves!— Come, smile! and make unto me The billows' backs as slaves To bear me and indue me With strength o'er ocean's graves. III Weep not, as heavy-hearted Before I go! lest thou Shouldst follow as we parted.— Come, gaze at me glad-hearted! Not with sweet lips distorted With fear; and eyes tear-smarted!— Let me remember how Thy face looks when thou smilest And with soft words beguilest My soul.—From feet to brow, Come, strengthen thy strong lover To breast the waves that cover Deep caves where sea-nymphs hover, Eager to seize him now. IV Thy image, love, shall follow With breast pressed close to mine: With arms from out whose hollow No death can tear me. Follow, Come, light me through the brine, Dark eyes, fixed bright on mine, And mouth as red as wine!— Yea, give me wine of kisses, Whose fire shall help me home, Sweetheart, through foam that hisses, The long wild miles of foam. V Sweet! cease thy sighs and weeping! 'Tis time for rest and sleeping, And Venus-vestured dreams, Where thy Leander, stooping, Thou'lt see as now, undrooping, With eyes all unaccusing: Not as thou saw'st, it seems, In sleep last night, in dreams, His curls with ocean oozing, And wan of cheek and brow: But, Hero, even as now, Fair-favored as can make him Thy smile, which is a might, A hope, a god, to take him Safe through this hell of night. VI Here in thy throat's white hollow One last long kiss.—I go.— Ah, Sweet! a kiss to follow Down from thy throat's white hollow Unto thy breast that's whiter:— Thine arms, that clasp me tighter; One kiss then on thy mouth, Warmer than all the South; And eyes, than waters brighter Wherein the far stars glow. Smile on me now I leave thee!— And kiss me on the brow!— Smile on me, love, nor grieve thee! No thing can harm me now!